Should Texas Secede From The Union?
Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009
by Laura Trahan
As a former member of the press, I always love how politicians can take a statement and blow it completely out of context in an effort to cause dissension.
That is the case in Texas after the recent Tea Parties protesting taxes and spending imposed by Washington.
Texas governor Rick Perry spoke at one of the Tea rallies in Austin. As he spoke and walked away several in the crowd yelled "secede!" As he walked away the Associated Press asked Perry about the notion. His response was as follows:
I will admit I am not a fan of Rick Perry, but I do not see anywhere in that statement where he says that Texas will or wants to consider seceding from the union.
I am one of those people that wasn't born in Texas, but "I got here as fast as I could." It is a well-known bumper sticker here. Living in Texas comes with a certain amount of pride.
Kids are brainwashed at a young age about the history of Texas and the pride of the state. Every corner has a Texas flag (and US flag) waving in the wind. You hear from the moment you enter the state that "everything is bigger and better in Texas."
If we could bottle up an ounce of Texas pride and spread it across the United States, our country would be unstoppable. Because there are a certain advantages of being proud of the place you live in. You choose to take care of it, honor it and support it. Could the U.S. not need some support at a time like this?
Those who know their Texas history will quickly boast that Texas was the only state that was ever its own country. It was a different time long before the civil war in which Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836.
Back to taking things out of context, Perry's statement was turned into an insult on those who suffered persecution during the civil war.
The Associated Press reports that Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco, joined by several fellow Texas House Democrats, said some people associate talk of secession with racial division and the Civil War and that Perry should disavow any notion of seceding.
"Talk of secession is an attack on our country. It can be nothing else. It is the ultimate anti-American statement," Dunnam said at a news conference.
He wasn't even saying secession! I love how they always need something to debate.
Perry's response the next day: "I refer people back to my statement and I got a charge out of it," he said. "I was kind of thinking that maybe the same people that hadn't been reading the Constitution right were reading that article and they got the wrong impression about what I said. Clearly I stated that we have a great union. Texas is part of a great union. And I see no reason for that to change."
Like I said, I am no fan of Perry, but I think the democrats are grasping at straws here. Seriously, our tax dollars are wasted on this.
Honestly, talk of secession is discussed on every block in Texas since 1836, the majority of the time as a joke or sarcasm. It is part of the history and culture.
This is not a debate that should even be taking place at this time. Focus on the fact that thousands across Texas protested Washington spending. That is where the story is, not some representative throwing things way out of context. I wonder if he is really even a Texan!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Great article Laura and I agree with you. You cannot open your moth anymore without someone twisting it into some type of insult or tragedy. They need a good old southern whupping. Now watch someone make something of that.Have a great day!HA Joel! I am sure they could make something out of that too! Thanks so much for commenting!
Laura, I echo what Joel says, this, like you say, isn't where the story is, it is about taxes, and spending....people always blow things out of context, and I for one laugh at these so-called self proclaimed patriots of infinate wisdom. They need to do something, and stop talking about it.....(I like Texas too, I used to live there when I was a kid).....Great article, great read....Your fan, and friend in pen.....Gary
Great article. Well done.I would say no. What happed the last time states seceded?
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